Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an on-chip electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit that may be reused for a variety of integrated circuit (IC) applications. Both inductor-capacitor (LC) parallel resonator and shunt inductor (connected to ground) are used as ESD protection circuits and also as a part of an impedance matching network for a given IC application. The ESD LC resonator can be designed with a variety of band pass filter (BPF) topologies. On-chip ESD protection circuit allows for co-optimization ESD and BPF performance simultaneously, a fully on-chip ESD solution for integrated passive device (IPD) processes, eliminates a need for active ESD device protection, additional processes to support off-chip ESD protection, reduces power consumption, and creates a reusable BPF topology.

Abstract: A switching module, intended to be used in a medium or high voltage DC breaker or a DC current limiter, includes at least one power semiconductor switching element, a gate unit arranged to turn the at least one power semiconductor switching element on and off, respectively, according to a switching control signal, and an energy storage capacitor arranged to provide power to a power supply input of the gate unit. The switching module further includes a power transformation device arranged to receive an optical power signal, to transform the optical power signal into an electrical power signal and to provide the electrical power signal to the energy storage capacitor.

Abstract: The invention relates to an on-load tap changer for switching among winding taps of a step transformer without interruption. According to the invention, in each auxiliary current branch of the on-load tap changer, which operates with vacuum switching tubes as switching elements, additional switches are provided in series with the vacuum switching tubes and the respective winding tap. Said additional switches cause a complete galvanic isolation of the vacuum switching tubes in the auxiliary current branches in steady-state operation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for dynamically adjusting an over-current protection threshold (514) are disclosed. A dynamic over-current protection circuit (104) receives a first trigger to switch to a high discharge current mode. The dynamic over-current protection circuit (104) starts a high-current timer (210) and increases the over-current protection threshold (514) in response to receiving the trigger. The dynamic over-current protection circuit (104) decreases the over-current protection threshold (514) and starts a hold-off timer (212) in response to an expiration of the high current timer (210). The hold-off timer (212) prevents a second trigger from causing a switch to the high discharge current mode until the hold-off timer expires.

Abstract: A voltage balancing unit for a symmetric monopole high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line interconnecting two voltage source converters (VSCs), the transmission line including first arresters having a first switching impulse protective level (SIPL) is provided. The voltage balancing unit includes a pair of second arresters having a second SIPL which is less than the first SIPL, and a switching device being arranged for temporarily connecting, in the event of a voltage unbalance on the transmission line, the first arresters between either pole and ground. A voltage unbalance on the transmission line may be removed by temporarily connecting second arresters, with a significantly lower SIPL than the first arresters, for limiting the pole voltage to a level close to the normal voltage. Further, a method of voltage balancing is provided. Voltage unbalances may arise as a consequence of lightning induced earth faults.

Abstract: A method provides electronic overload protection having a thermal trip level. The method executes a function by a processor; provides the electronic overload protection by the function executed by the processor; and adjusts the thermal trip level by the function executed by the processor in order to mimic adjusting a physical thermal characteristic of a thermal time constant of a fixed mechanical system.

Abstract: In a surge protection circuit in a three-phase four-wire circuit, a first three-phase three-wire surge module includes terminals respectively coupled to a first phase R, a second phase S, a third phase T, and a fifth phase E. A single-phase two-wire surge module includes terminals respectively coupled to one phase R among the first phase R, the second phase S, and the third phase T, to a fourth phase N, and to the fifth phase E. The second three-phase three-wire surge module includes terminals respectively coupled to the two phases S and T among the first phase R, the second phase S, and the third phase T, to the fourth phase N, and to the fifth phase E. The two phases S and T are not coupled to the single-phase two-wire surge module.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, systems and methods for detecting and handling faults in a DC bus system (“system”) can comprise detecting a fault in the segment, isolating the segment from the system, waiting for a period of time, connecting a probe power unit to the system at the isolated segment, and determining if a fault still exists on the isolated segment, wherein the determining is based on whether power is discharging from the probe power unit when connected to the system. The system can comprise one or more controllers and a probe power unit.

Abstract: An open neutral protection method and apparatus including a blocking diode arrangement to prevent connection of power in circuits when the power source has an open neutral. In particular, when more than one branch circuits are connected to a power supply with more than one hot power lines, blocking diodes prevent back feed currents from activating relays connecting the power source to the branch circuits when the power source has an open neutral.

Abstract: A protection circuit includes a power supply terminal, a ground terminal, a control unit connected to the power supply terminal and the ground terminal, and a supply unit connected to the power supply terminal and the ground terminal, for preventing application of voltage in a reverse direction to a circuit unit having a predetermined function. In this case, the control unit generates a control potential, which controls the control unit and the supply unit in accordance with a potential supplied from the power supply terminal and a potential supplied from the ground terminal. The supply unit is configured to be capable of supplying current to a circuit unit connected to a subsequent stage on the basis of a potential supplied from the power supply terminal, a potential supplied from the ground terminal, and the control potential generated by the control unit.

Abstract: A multiphase DC-DC converter is provided that includes a multiphase transformer, the multiphase transformer including a plurality of input voltage terminals and an transformer output voltage terminal, each input voltage terminal associated with a corresponding phase. Each phase is assigned to an input voltage terminal of the plurality of input voltage terminals to minimize a ripple current at the input voltage terminals of the multiphase transformer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide chamber components having a protective element for shielding bonding material from processing environments in a processing environment. The protective element may include protective seals, protective structures, erosion resistive fillers, or combinations thereof. Embodiments of the present invention reduce erosion of bonding material used in a processing chamber, thus, improving processing quality and reducing maintenance costs.

Abstract: A switching device comprising control means for controlling the switching operations of the device, the control means receiving the sensing signals generated by a sensor means; the control means are arranged so that, during execution of a switching operation, the control means send a first control signal to a power supply means to start with the supply of excitation current from a first instant onwards; determine, on the base of the information provided by the sensing signals, a second instant, at which the power supply means have to stop with the supply of excitation current, the second instant occurring before the movable plunger has reached the stop position during the movement from the start position towards the stop position; send a second control signal to the power supply means to stop with supply of excitation current from the second instant and until a movable plunger reaches the stop position.

Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection structure comprises a first NPN transistor and a second NPN transistor connected in parallel. The bases of the first NPN transistor and the second NPN transistor are coupled together and further coupled to a first voltage potential and a second voltage potential through two deep trench capacitors respectively. The ESD protection structure further comprises a third deep trench capacitor and a fourth deep trench capacitor coupled between the first voltage potential and the second voltage potential.

Abstract: A remote sensing circuit and a high-power supply apparatus having the remote sensing circuit. The high-power supply apparatus can include a feedback circuit to feedback power output from a high-power supply unit to an input terminal of the high-power supply apparatus. The remote sensing circuit can include a switching unit connected between an output terminal of the high-power generating unit and the feedback circuit of the high-power supply apparatus to open the connection in a normal status and to close the connection in an abnormal status, a load channel to connect the high-power generating unit and a load, and a remote sensing unit having one terminal commonly connected to the load and the load channel and another terminal commonly connected to the switching unit and the feedback circuit to sense power supplied to the load.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention provide for an ESD protection device for an SST transmitter. In one embodiment, the ESD protection device includes: a primary ESD protection structure at an output of the SST transmitter; and an additional protection ESD structure in parallel with a slice of the SST transmitter, the additional ESD protection structure including: a first device in parallel with a pull-up transistor network within the slice; and a second device in parallel with a pull-down transistor network within the slice.

Abstract: A keyboard for entry of text characters is described. The keyboard comprises: a plurality of keys and a processing means for detecting when at least one of the plurality of keys is pressed. Each of the plurality of keys has an indicia marked on its surface. When the processor detects that two or more of the plurality of keys have been pressed within a predetermined time period of each other, data corresponding to a text character visually resembling the combination of the indicia marked on the two or more of the plurality of keys is output. A corresponding method of text entry is also described. The output from the keyboard visually resembles the combination of the indicia on the keys. This enables a user to use the keyboard without requiring special training, or to learn particular key combinations.

Abstract: An enclosed metering and protective electrical apparatus includes an enclosure, a meter socket within the enclosure structured to input a power circuit and to engage a power meter, and a circuit interrupter within the enclosure including an operating handle and a trip mechanism. The circuit interrupter is structured to output the power circuit from the meter socket to a load and to interrupt the power circuit. A neutral current sensor within the enclosure is structured to detect a ground fault operatively associated with the power circuit and responsively cause the trip mechanism of the circuit interrupter to interrupt the power circuit. A disconnect handle substantially external to the enclosure includes linkage extending within the enclosure and cooperating with the operating handle of the circuit interrupter to open and close the circuit interrupter.

Abstract: Power supplies together with related over voltage protection methods and apparatuses. A power supply has a transformer including a primary winding and an auxiliary winding. A power switch is coupled to the primary winding and a sensing resistor coupled between the power switch and a grounding line. A multi-function terminal of a controller is coupled to the sensing resistor. A diode and a first resistor is coupled between the auxiliary winding and the multi-function terminal.

Abstract: A wafer grounding apparatus and method adaptable to a charged particle beam apparatus is disclosed. A wafer substrate is supported by a wafer mount. A grounding pin is arranged to be in contact with a backside film formed on a backside of the wafer substrate. A grounding pulse generator provides at least one pulse to drive the grounding pin such that dielectric breakdown occurring at the backside film leads to establishment of a current path through the backside films. Accordingly, a current flows in the wafer substrate through this current path and then flows out of the wafer substrate via at least one current return path formed from capacitive coupling between the wafer substrate and the wafer mount.